Display balloon



Aug. 2l, 1945 H. E. JACOBS DIsLAY BALLooN Filed sept. ls, 194:5

INVENTOR HEf/ E: Mcoss Patented Aug. 21, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DISPLAY BALLOON v Herbert E. Jacobs, Portland, Oreg.

Application September 8, 1943, Serial No. 501,593

4 Claims. (Cl. litin-127) This invention relates to display balloons and is particularly adapted -for patriotic demonstra' tions and the like.

It is believed that when the war is ended that a great celebration will occur, and that this device would display the American flag or other emblems in a most eiective manner.

One of the objects of the invention is to be able to maintain emblems Within a transparent and illuminated balloon.

A further object of the invention is to design a display balloon that can be inflated when it is desired to use the same.

A still further object of the invention is to provide means for illuminating the inside chamber of the balloon so that the emblem will be effectively displayed.

A container is also connected to the balloon for holding helium gas and the like so that when released the balloon will be immediately inated and will take off.

These and other incidental objects will be apparent in the drawing, specifications and claims.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side view of my new and improved display balloon in an inflated condition.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of the gas container and lighting means associated with the balloon as illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is another preferred form of balloon display.

In the drawing:

I- is a suitable base or container, which may be made from plastic material or the like, and is for the purpose of holding helium gas. A neck 2 extends above the container I, having a groove 3 therearound for receiving the reenforced rubber portion 4 of the balloon 5.

The portion 4 fits snugly around the neck 2, forming a tight seal. A suitable hollow core 6 is formed as part of the container I, and is for the purpose of receiving the electric light globe 'I and the batteries 8, which are of any preferred form of present day construction in battery lighting. The bulb 1 should be sealed at 9 so that the gas will not leak down through the tube 6.

A suitable plug I is provided for closing the tube and maintaining the batteries therein. A supporting frame II is mounted at its lower end on that portion of the tube 6 within the balloon body and has' an extension I2 at its upper end for passing through the reenforced portion I3 of the balloon. To the bracket II is mounted an emblem I4.

vWhen it is desired to inate the balloon, the plug I is removed from the upper neck 2 of the container I by grasping the same through the in- :dated rubber balloon. Suilicient helium is stored in the container to completely inflate the balloon when the plug I5 is removed. A guy line I6 is provided for anchoring the balloon.

I show another preferred form of balloon display in Figure 3, wherein an electric supply line I1 supplies electric energy to the light I8 and the balloon itself is inflated from some central supply depot.

I do not wish to be limited to the exact construction as illustrated, as other forms of mechanical embodiment may be employed, still coming within the scope of my claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a display balloon, a balloon body, a receptacle carried by and in sealing cooperation with the body, said receptacle serving as a carrier for balloon-ination gas under pressure, a tube within and sealed against the receptacle, said tube extending above the receptacle and within the body, a source of illumination within the body, means supported in said tube for energizing said source of illumination, and an article-supporting frame rigidly supported within the body.

2. In a display balloon, an inflatable balloon body, a receptacle in sealed cooperation with the body and depending therefrom, said receptacle serving to receive a body-inflating gas under pressure, means for establishing communication between the receptaacle and body at will. a battery-receiving tube extending through the receptacle and to and within the body, a light bulb car-r ried by the tube within the body and energized by the batteries when in the tube, and a frame carried by the tube and extending within the body to'support any desired article.

3. A construction as defined in claim 2, wherein the means for establishing communication between the receptacle and body includes a plug carried by the receptacle and normally closing an outlet in the receptacle and capable of removal by pressure contact thereon by the wall of the deflated body.

4. A display balloon including an inilatable body, said body being of a material pervious to light, a tube extending within the body, batteries carried by the tube, a source of illumination wholly Within the body, a frame supported at one end by the tube and at the opposite end by the inflatable body, and a display element connected to the frame and maintained by the frame when the body is inflated within the eiective range 0f the light from the source of illumination, said frame conforming generally to the shape of the body when the body is inflated, and being arranged wholly beyond the display element to permit full vision of such element.

HERBERT E. JACOBS. 

